| *Georgia's Ealey says Spikes shouldn't be suspended*
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By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- A most unlikely person came to the defense of
Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, who was suspended for half a
game for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia running
back Washaun Ealey
Ealey said Tuesday he doesn't believe Spikes should have been
suspended.
In fact, Ealey seemed surprised the play from Saturday's game
drew so much attention.
Florida coach Urban Meyer on Monday suspended Spikes for the
first half of this week's game against Vanderbilt after the
defensive captain stuck his hand in Ealey's helmet and appeared
to try to stick his fingers in Ealey's eyes.
Ealey says he doesn't agree with those who have said the
suspension was not stiff enough.
"That really didn't matter to me," Ealey said of the suspension.
"That's their decision. He shouldn't, I think, get suspended at
all. We were just out there playing football."
Ealey said he had his eyes closed when Spikes stuck his hand in
his helmet and he wasn't hurt.
"He really didn't gouge my eyes," Ealey said. "He really didn't
get a chance to get close to my eyes."
The freshman said he believes similar incidents happen all the
time.
"I'm pretty sure it goes on back and forth," he said. "We
probably do it and other teams do too. It's all football. We're
just out there trying to have fun."
Top-ranked Florida beat Georgia 41-17. The Bulldogs play
Tennessee Tech on Saturday.
On Monday, Spikes issued an apology.
"I accept responsibility for my actions and I accept the
consequences of my actions," Spikes said. "I would like to
apologize to my team and the coaching staff and Washaun Ealey.
Football is a very physical and emotional game, but there is no
excuse for my actions."
The Southeastern Conference issued a statement on Monday saying
it reviewed and accepted the discipline handed down by Florida.
Meyer said he believed Spikes retaliated after getting his
helmet ripped off and eye poked earlier in the game.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said Spikes' "helmet went flying off
... and there was one time he got hit with his helmet off."
"It was totally unintentional," Richt said. "They were totally
just playing ball. That might have got him bent out of shape. I
don't know about all of that."
Ealey carried 17 times for 70 yards against the Gators.
"It was just a lot of emotion in the game," he said. "We were
out there fighting. It was a big rivalry game. Everybody was
just out there talking trash back and forth. ... We were just
out there playing football and having fun."
Notes: Richt said Caleb King will start over Ealey at tailback
in Saturday's game against Tennessee Tech. Richt said King has
the edge in pass-blocking but said Ealey "will continue to
play." Ealey has started the last two games. ... Richt said he
hopes top receiver A.J. Green, who will miss this week's game
with a pulmonary contusion, can return to play against Auburn on
Nov. 14.
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